Inspire Magazine | Summer 2021 | The Faces of Inspiration

Inspire Magazine | Summer 2021 | The Faces of Inspiration

Then

Now

INSPIRATION The Faces of Then & Now: OPARC Celebrates 70 Years

70 YEARS

70 YEARS

SUMMER 2021

The OPARC Board of Directors is made up of committed and connected community leaders who give of their time, talent and treasure to ensure that the organization remains strong. Each spring, the board goes through a nominating and confirmation process that results in qualified new members joining the board. Welcome New Board Members

OPARC has reopened its doors to all its programs with open arms to welcome back the people we serve. We never stopped delivering services throughout the pandemic, but it sure is nice to see all the smiling faces and jubilation of everyone who has returned to in person services. However, we continue to provide home visits and virtual services to the people we serve who are not yet ready to return to traditional services. We raise our hats to all the parents and caregivers who have traveled this journey with us and we solute you for being the true heroes in ensuring the people we serve get the best we can provide. We have been busy at OPARC exploring new ways to engage clients seeking employment by adding multiple Supportive Employment opportunities, corporate contracts for our Work Activity Program, new classes for our alternative service clients, and have secured more places to explore for our community programs. In addition to our focus on programs, we have added to the leadership of OPARC. In June, five newmembers were confirmed to our Board of Directors. Our program leaders have been working hard to hire more direct service staff, who coupled with our dedicated leadership, bring a renewed energy to our programs and services A Message from our Chief Executive Officer

This year we welcome four new members and one returning member, shown in bold below.

BOARD OFFICERS: • Kamalesh Banerjee, Board Chair • Anne Dutrey, Vice-Chair • Daniele LeCesne, Treasurer • Scott Tremayne, Secretary

MEMBERS AT LARGE: • Sue Ovitt • Rome Doughes • Colby Helper • Les Kim • Virginia Aguilar-Riley • Mark Chancellor • Nancy DeDiemar • Marjorie Sabnis • Kristine Gilbert • David Gordon

The OPARC family is grateful to the following individuals who are stepping down from official board membership but who will remain as our loyal advisors and friends:

We have so much to be thankful for and we know we could not have done any of this without you.

• Janet Pasker • Sean Henry

Sincerely,

Stacey M. Proctor Chief Executive Officer

OPARC Celebrates 70 Years

This year marks OPARC’s 70th anniversary! Some of us are old enough to remember that, in 1950, there were few options for developmentally disabled children. When a boy named Jack was refused entrance to a local school, his mother, Sally, considered his empty future and decided that he deserved more. Sally Keechler began organizing other families and offering small classes for kids like Jack. Within a few years, a nonprofit organization was formed and group meetings were held at the Ontario YMCA.

In 1969, after twenty years of advocacy, California adopted the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act that established for the first time the collective responsibility of all citizens in the state to provide resources to help people with disabilities lead more independent, productive and socially integrated lives. OPARC then created and expanded a variety of programs. In 1973, the “C” in OPARC changed from “children” to “citizens,” and from this point forward, we focused on adults. In 1988, OPARC implemented its first Adult Development Center program (ADC). In the 1990s, we expanded our geographic reach to threenew locations, andourworkshopbecame a recognizedWorkActivityProgram. Then: 1955 Music Class

In 2004, thanks to many funding partners and generous donors, we built the OPARC Business Services and WAP building in Montclair which now services as OPARC’s headquarters. Today, we support 850 participants at 8 locations and we’re proud to have retained CARF accreditation continually since 1976. Sally Keechler could not have known that her efforts to help Jack in 1950 would result in 70 years of service and improve the lives of more than 10,000 individuals and families. #OPARCSTRONG

Now: 2021 Employment Training

Client Story: Johnisa Chatman Johnisa Chatman is a participant in OPARC’s Adult Development Center program in Monte Vista. Johnisa is non-verbal, but she loves interaction and hugs! One OPARC team member describes her as a “social butterfly!”

Prior to the pandemic, Johnisa attended her program five days a week. She enjoyed water activities, music and going out into the community. Johnisa is very loving and always greets staff with a huge smile. She is an important member of the OPARC family and hopes to be back for in-person participation soon. Johnisa’s mom, Denisa, wrote the following letter to OPARC during the pandemic:

Let’s Celebrate!

Bringing OPARC Home!

Our OPARC family was overwhelmed by the support of our friends and supporters who helped us to reach beyond the COVID-19 restrictions to bring our mission to life right in your home. From the scrumptious home-delivered snacks and specialty wines, to the suspense of the text-to- give campaign and the chance to win tickets to Disneyland, the evening had plenty of sparkle. We were truly honored to present our inaugural Founders award to Jill and Bob Elliot. OPARC CEO Stacey Proctor ipresented the award virtually and interviewed Jill and Bob about the meaning of OPARC and the impact the Keechler family had when they started OPARC over 70 years ago. Jill is the daughter of Sally Keechler, founder, and he and her family have continued to carry the mission to where it is today.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

HEART OF OPARC $7,500 Vince’s Spaghetti

STAY-CATION $1,000 Pacific Western Bank Walnut Valley Farms Orange Door Consulting California Nonprofits Insurance California Steel Industries

FUND-A-NEED Thank you to our very generous Fund-A-Need donors, including 100%

HOME ISWHERETHE HEART IS $5,000 Pacific Premiere Bank National Core House THE HOUSE JACK & JILL BUILT $2,500 Banerjee Family Dale & Judy Briggs Douglas Farmer

of the OPARC Board of Directors, whose commitment meant

FUZZY SLIPPERS $ 500 Walnut Valley Water District

every dollar raised was matched, up to $10,000.

Riley Electric Joanne Floyd

beat November 6 , 2021 3PM-6PM | Sontag Outdoor Theater Pomo n a C o l l e g e | C l a r emo n t , CA SATURDAY

heart fest ival

HEADLINING

stephjohnson band a blend of jazz, soul , funk, and blues

WITH LOCAL MUSICAL GUEST MLC BAND!

GREAT MUSIC FOOD | DRINKS CRAFT ALES RAFFLES

Come enjoy a fabulous afternoon while supporting a great cause!

For Sponsorship Oppor tuni t ies Visi t : oparc.org/event/heartbeatfest

OPARC | 9029 Vernon Ave, Montc l a i r, CA 91763 | oparc.org For Ticket Text: BEAT to 41444